1. A902569 Inter-regional Trade Union Training on Social Security
Gender and Social Protection
Social Protection Programme
ITC- ILO
July 2010
Presented by G.Forgues

2. WHAT IS GENDER? SEX BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS GENDER
CONSTRUCTED ROLES AND RELATIONS
Social
Cultural
Traditional
Power relations…

3. WHAT? Education Ethnicity Religion, beliefs Gender Health condition
Age
Socio
economic
status

4. Gender Equality
Equality of treatment
between
women and men

5. Limited access to social protection for women
Large part of social protection still attached to employment conditions
Women are behind a large share of unpaid work (family business, caring)
Informal economy offers little social protection
Social security systems often based on “traditional” family model - woman is dependant on male income earner
Different work patterns create social protection differences

6. Social protection for women: the example of pensions
Women can receive old-age pensions up to five years earlier than men, as it is taken into account that they are:
Remunerated at lower level during working career
Interrupting careers because of child bearing & rearing
Responsible for large parts of household chores

7. Social protection for women: the example of pensions
However, modified pension scheme provisions are not good remedies for labour market inequities:
Lower retirement age is not an advantage for women as it shortens their careers
Added to lower remuneration, it results in smaller pensions for women

8. Implementing a social security benefit
Decisions must be made on:
Coverage: who is protected?
Benefits: type & amount; conditions for entitlement
Gender equality: taking into account that life conditions are different
Financing: source of funds
Management: institutional & administrative

9. Women-specific benefits: the example of maternity protection
Recognize women’s reproductive role and include in Social Health Insurance:
Contraceptives (drugs & devices)
Services in case of abortions (spontaneous & induced)
Ante-natal care & micronutrients
Attended births
Post-natal care & care of newborn

10. Women-specific benefits: the example of maternity protection
Other considerations:
Referral to HIV testing services
Referral for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV
Income replacement during maternity leave
Transport allocation, if necessary
Promotion of breastfeeding for 6 months
Referral to immunization services
Examination of child devt every six months

11. Women-specific benefits: the example of maternity protection
Impact on:
1) The health of the mother and the child
2) The quality and accessibility of care
3) The enterprise (less absenteeism, higher productivity)

12. METHODS OF SOCIAL PROTECTION PROVISION
NATIONAL PROVIDENT FUND
SOCIAL INSURANCE
EMPLOYER LIABILITY
SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
UNIVERSAL
Financed
directly by employer
Financed by
contributions
Financed
from taxation
Financed
from taxation
Financed by
contributions
Pooling of risks and finances
Individual
employer
provision
Individual
accounts
Redistributive
Redistributive
Benefits
prescribed
in law
Contributions
prescribed
in law
Flat-rate
benefits
Discretionary benefits
Based on
contribution
history from
employment
Based on
residence
Based on
need
Based on
employment

13. Example of schemes: universal schemes
National health service
Universal old-age pension
Child benefits
NOTE
Women and men have the same rights

14. Example of schemes: employment-related systems
Social insurance
Mandatory savings schemes
Occupational (company) schemes

15. Schemes often reflect inequalities in the labour market
1) Considerations regarding coverage
- Homeworkers, domestic workers, part-time workers, informal economy
2) Considerations regarding benefit levels
Based on earnings and years of contributions
Other considerations
No access to SP with short term employment or sub-contracting
No carry over from one employer to another with “no contract” status

16. Different treatment: some causes
Model based on single male breadwinner
Women’s entitlements based on dependency
Separate actuarial calculations for men and women
Marital status/family situation

17. Mandatory retirement savings schemes
Amplify inequalities in the labour market (wages, breaks in employment)
Administrative costs a greater burden for low income workers
No solidarity or redistribution
Eventual pension linked to life expectancy

18. Some measures to promote gender equality
Reform of survivor pensions
Equal pension age
Pension splitting on divorce
Pension credits for carers
Unisex annuity rates
Child benefits/parental leave/childcare services
Access to Maternity Protection